New Alternator!

[Shawn F.]

Well guys, it's time I buy a new alternator again within only a year of having my current one... My 1980 El Camino keeps blowing out headlights and I noticed it does it when I turn my heater on high. The volts jump to about 35 or more for a split second and I believe it may be the regulator in the alternator.
Anyways I am wanting to go with a 100 Amp alternator but do NOT want to cheap out this time (current one is the cheapest Advance Auto one you can get). The one I am currently looking at is a Tuff Stuff brand from Summit: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFF-7127NI/
Any opinions on this exact unit here as far as will it fit and is it good quality? It's going to be in a 1980 El Camino with the original 4.4 Liter 267 V8 (same dimensions as a 350 or 305).

Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[billyjack]

The old-style alternators from that era had no issues as far as fit. About the only variance were the pulleys. Worst case, you had to rotate the rear case half to put the terminals in the right position. Do you have an independent auto electrical shop in your area? I would trust their work much more than some offshore piece. I've rebuilt tons of the old alternators over the years, but don't have the competence to do the new smaller units. After some issues with expensive Delco rebuilts, I decided to start giving one of the local small shops my business. So far, every one I've had done has outlived the car. JMO

Bill

 

[pontiacgp]

Do you have an independent auto electrical shop in your area? I would trust their work much more than some offshore piece.

x2...they can build you an alternator with the amps your looking for...they usually stand behind their work and they don't use junk parts because they don't want to do the work twice since it's costs them to do it. Not like some offshore rebuilder

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks for the info guys! As for a shop locally, I am not aware of one... There isn't many good shops around me that do work I can trust and that is a reason I do everything myself when I can. If not I have a friend who has a shop that I do trust but for custom stuff like rebuilding alternators, starters or bending I Beams, etc, I do not know of any.
I am thinking about going with that Tuff Stuff one I linked in my first post and if I have problems then at least it's a bigger cased alternator than what I currently have, it's powdercoated black and I can use it to try and rebuild myself.

 

[Mike P]

Shawn, from the symptoms you’re describing the problem is the regulator as you suspect and it’s not unusual with the chain store rebuilds.

A good quality regulator should only be around $15 at some place like NAPA. Most of the older shop manuals show the procedures for replacing it (takes about 10 minuets after you’ve done a few not counting pulling the alternator) and it’s a whole lot cheaper than replacing the whole alternator.

In most cases all you need are a 1/4” and 5/16” nut drivers and a paper clip (to hold the brushes down when you re-assemble).

 

[pontiacgp]

this should help you if your going to change the regulator yourself.....it does sound like it's just the regulator..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKbX7mezuFM

 

[Shawn F.]

Thanks for the info guys. I think I am going to buy the entire unit but will also buy just a regulator and fix the current one I have. Should I just buy a replacement regulator from Auto Zone and throw it in? I am not sure if I have a 63 Amp unit or what. Whichever is the cheapest unit is what I have. Maybe I will do this (regulator) and then buy the shocks that are for sale in the classifieds here for it with the saved money...

 

[pontiacgp]

if I were you I'd just replace the regulator and if that fixes it then I'd look around for a good alternator rebuilder in your area to build the 100 amp alternator..